Instructional riding holidays- new thread

[Heather]

Following on in the wake of the other thread, I am possibly getting a riding school license again, enabling me to take lessons on my own horses. As Rei and Sudi are 13 and 12 respectively, and having had a number of problems over the years, they are now both sound and sane, but I do not feel will go a lot further in their training. I now have my young Luso mare Babou to bring on, and also helping groom/student Jade with her enormous Friesian, so am considering using my boys for private lessons/courses.

They are not for nervous riders, being highly educated and responsive Lusitanos, but they are both pretty good on the lunge as well, so I would certainly consider using them now. A friend has just got his license again and has got around the rates issue that was bugging me before, because he has only two horses to use and it is not his full time income. So if the insurance isnt too horrendous, this may be one way we can offer the experience of riding and learning lateral work etc.

If anyone is interested, do let me know. There would be a weight limit of 12 and a half stones.

[Casey76]

Heather, that would be fantastic!

I would certainly love a combined simulator/in hand/mounted instructional holiday... by next summer I should be light enough not to squish your boys too (I've lost 10 lbs in the past 8 weeks!)  Also by next summer I might not be a complete idiot on horseback not not show myself up when it comes to baby lateral work!

Having to travel to you, having a longer "holiday" would also make it more financially viable for me too, which is another incentive.

[Hat Dancer]

That sounds fabulous Heather. 

Would it be possible to get together with some of the local B&Bs and maybe make up a "package" so people can see at one glance what it would cost to to spend the week / weekend / etc?

[crdodgeon]

Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!!!
 

I just haven't got down to Devon as much as I want/need to this year, but when things level out a bit more then this would be an added incentive alongside sim sessions (ie the ridden part as something to aim for in the future! 

[SilkyRaven]

Sounds like a great idea 

[Heather]

Mitra, we used to do a package as students used to stay here in my flat, but I don't fancy having to go back into the house with elderly parents!

But the b and bs are not generally open to doing packages, you just choose one and pay them separately, so it isnt hard really to work out, any more than it is for me to go to Luis Valenca's and stay in the hotel nearby.

The two day course package I used to offer with the schoolmasters ten years ago, with bed/breakfast and lunch was £400 pp and we were always full. Quite what it would be now with the recession we shall have to see! But a private lesson at a local riding school on a normal school horse is £45 an hour with a BHSII. It would be a different format to before, especially as I would only have a max of 3 horses, which is also dependent on them staying sound! Not sure I want to go back to that situation, which is a worry, but need to work more from home again, so trying to think of options.

[ParisDiamond]

It sounds like a very attractive propsal to me, and with two horses, an ideal weekend away with a like minded girlfriend, super idea.

[Ritchie]

What about doing something like Sue Neville Parker does at Arrow.  Not sure of all the details but she runs it as a club with annual membership fees and "loans" the horses out for lessons, this somehow bypasses the large insurance fees and other issues riding schools have.  Maybe a chat with her could help 

[Heather]

I had thought about that thanks, Sue, but dont think it would work so well here as for Susie N-P. She is a much larger operation, and has a lot more horses. I think I am better just going the riding school license route which I know covers me for all eventualities without complications. But it is another idea if ever it was needed!!

[kathyt]

Heather, don't forget about Higher Poulston Farm for the holiday cottages.  Great for people to take the family, kids and dogs as there is lots for them to do there.  It also works out good value if a few of you share.  Anything from one bedroom to about eight  

[thecatsmother]

But the b and bs are not generally open to doing packages, you just choose one and pay them separately, so it isnt hard really to work out, any more than it is for me to go to Luis Valenca's and stay in the hotel nearby.

Just an idea, you could do something like offer a couple of local B&Bs/hotels an advert/link on your website (on whatever page the courses are advertised) in return for which they give people a discount when they book to stay if if they quite seeing the link on your website? The onus would still be on the person coming to make all the enquiries/bookings etc, but you'd be giving them a few ideas of where to try, and also helping some local businesses (in return they might also take some brochures/flyers for you for their other guests?)

[whisper's mum]

I don't have the cash at the moment but will be interested later. 

[cirocco]

I would come. Once my sholder prob sorted im there..

[sbarron]

Heather!

Just jumping back in for a quick read up every now and then and saw this thread...hooray! I would love to come next spring/early summer. I may be going to Denmark for a HFH workshop (I am too curious to not go) and could stop over in England before or after.

I'll pm you and discuss....

all the best, Sarah

[Heather]

Funny Sarah, there was a thread about Epona on the IHDG forum, and I literally only wrote about you doing the workshop here, the day before yesterday! Telepathy I reckon! Be great if you can make it here!